Sonia Sotomayor's Success and Achievements in Timeline

Updated: April 1, 2026

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Sonia Sotomayor.

Sonia Sotomayor is an American lawyer and jurist serving as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Nominated by President Barack Obama on May 26, 2009, she assumed office on August 8, 2009. Sotomayor holds the distinction of being the first Hispanic and only the third woman to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1976: Graduation from Princeton University

In 1976, Sonia Sotomayor graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University with an A.B. in history and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

1979: Awarded Juris Doctor from Yale Law School

In 1979, Sonia Sotomayor was awarded a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School.

March 30, 1995: Preliminary Injunction Against Major League Baseball

On March 30, 1995, Sotomayor issued a preliminary injunction against Major League Baseball in Silverman v. Major League Baseball Player Relations Committee, Inc., preventing it from unilaterally implementing a new collective bargaining agreement. This ruling effectively ended the 1994 baseball strike.

October 2, 1998: Confirmation to U.S. Court of Appeals

On October 2, 1998, Sotomayor was confirmed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit by a 67–29 vote.

1999: Honorary Law Degree from Lehman College

In 1999, Sotomayor received an honorary law degree from Lehman College.

2001: Honorary Law Degrees from Princeton University and Brooklyn Law School

In 2001, Sotomayor received honorary law degrees from Princeton University and Brooklyn Law School.

2002: Elected to the American Philosophical Society

In 2002, Sotomayor was elected a member of the American Philosophical Society.

2003: Honorary Law Degree from Pace University School of Law

In 2003, Sotomayor received an honorary law degree from Pace University School of Law.

2006: Honorary Law Degree from Hofstra University

In 2006, Sotomayor received an honorary law degree from Hofstra University.

2006: Outstanding Latino Professional Award

In 2006, Sotomayor was given the Outstanding Latino Professional Award by the Latino/a Law Students Association.

2007: Honorary Law Degree from Northeastern University School of Law

In 2007, Sotomayor received an honorary law degree from Northeastern University School of Law.

2008: Inclusion in Esquire's List of "The 75 Most Influential People of the 21st Century"

In 2008, Esquire magazine included Sotomayor on its list of "The 75 Most Influential People of the 21st Century".

August 8, 2009: Sotomayor begins serving as Associate Justice

On August 8, 2009, Sonia Sotomayor began her service as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, becoming the first Hispanic justice and third woman to hold the position.

June 2010: Renaming of Bronxdale Houses

In June 2010, the Bronxdale Houses development, where Sotomayor grew up, was renamed after her as The Justice Sonia Sotomayor Houses and Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community Center.

2010: Honorary Law Degrees from Howard University, St. Lawrence University, and Paris Nanterre University

In 2010, Sotomayor received honorary law degrees from Howard University, St. Lawrence University, and Paris Nanterre University.

2010: Bronxdale Houses Renamed in Honor of Sotomayor

In 2010, the Bronxdale Houses were renamed in honor of Sonia Sotomayor.

2011: Naming of Sonia M. Sotomayor Learning Academies

In 2011, the Sonia M. Sotomayor Learning Academies, a public high school complex in Los Angeles, was named after her.

2012: Honorary Law Degree from New York University

In 2012, Sotomayor received an honorary law degree from New York University.

2013: Honorary Law Degree from Yale University

In 2013, Sotomayor received an honorary law degree from Yale University.

2013: Woodrow Wilson Award at Princeton University

In 2013, Sotomayor won the Woodrow Wilson Award at Princeton University.

2013: Unveiling of painting at Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery

In 2013, a painting featuring Sotomayor, Sandra Day O'Connor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Elena Kagan was unveiled at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.

2014: Honorary Law Degree from the University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras

In 2014, Sotomayor received an honorary law degree from the University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras.

May 2015: Recipient of the Katharine Hepburn Medal

In May 2015, Sotomayor received the Katharine Hepburn medal from Bryn Mawr College.

2019: Honorary Doctorate of Human Letters from Manhattan University

In 2019, Sotomayor received an honorary doctorate of human letters from Manhattan University.

2019: Induction into National Women's Hall of Fame

In 2019, Sotomayor was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.

2024: Recipient of Radcliffe Medal

In 2024, Sotomayor received the Radcliffe Medal from the Harvard Radcliffe Institute, awarded annually to "an individual who has had a transformative impact on society."